The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1887-03-03
MRS. BELVALOCKWOOD|
THE LAWYER AND POLITICIAN
or Washington, D.. o., on tho Political and
Social Lilo Of tho Capital City, mud "the
Coming NIan"-An Entertaining Talk
on nu Interesting Subject.

male lawyer Of Washington City, who
leaped into fame in 1884 as the nominee
Of the Womau's Rights party for the Pres.
idency, lecturcd at the Wheeling Opera
House last evening for the benefit Of Holt.
day Post G. A. R., and tho Womau's Re-
lief Uorps auxiliary to that organization
her subject being "The Social and Pollti.
cal Lilo Of Washington" Miss S. J..
Msholin introduced the distinguished
speaker very gracefully to on audience
not nearly SO large as It should have been
under the circumstances. However, che
held the interest Of oil throughout a dis.
course Of two hours, and not %inirequently
provoked applause and laughter.
Mrs. Lockwood Is q plain, uonsiblo look.
Ing woman, well advanced In years, with
a fine, high.keyed voice, almost sharp in
tone, and one Is not prepossessed In her
favor by the first few minutes OF her talk. |
Her ready wit and intelligent insight into
Washington life soon win her hearers,
though, and her lecture 10 unusually |
worthy Of a careful hearing. She speaks ,
rapidly, evidently having committed her
words to memory, though her manuscript
lio5 on the reading table, and shs turns
the pages as II abe were coraulting Il.
She commenced her talk by describing
Washington itselt. She spoke OF ito beau.
tilul buildingu, the Capitol, the President.
isl mansion, tho residences, the Govern.
ment buildings and the library.
The latter Is third In size OF any that |
have ever existed. Its effect con be aaen.
II has made the city q centre OF art and
learning. Men OF learning, men OF letters,
musicians and artists, are docking to this
city, and will soon mako tito this country
what Paris Is TO France. 1t Is becoming a
social centre. Washington throws open
It's doors more widely than any other city
in this country-I may say the world. all
are welcome to enter Its aociety. The
millionaire's wife, the Senator's daughter,
the Cabinet ladies and the lady clerk all
are members. Money does not, as may
DO supposed, alone have tho way for en-.
trance into Washington's society. A full
flow OF small talk, intelligence, aptitude,
fine looks, but no glittering or extrava-
giant dressing will alone gain admittance. ;
Yet Washington is full Of well dressed I
and beautiful women.
Tho negroes OF tho capital have made
great advancement, and hold leading
positions, whilo they are at last becoming |
people Of intelligence and refinement. |
They compose about two-ifths Of the pop
ulation in Washington. !
After describing the different churches, |
Mrs. Lockwood spoke Of the religious
prejudice which exists even in this coun.
try.
1t was anti Catholic prejudice which
prevented Scott from filling the Presiden.
tial chair. 1t was a touch Of the same old !
prejudice against tho Catholic religion |
which helped to defeat James G.. Blaine
In his recent contest for the Presidency. |
1t is wonderful how the old parties are |
losing strength. They arc gradually disin. !
tegratiDg. States that were Republican
have turned Democratic; men and
States which have been Democratic solid. |
ly for years are now returning Republi. |
cans. Old Senators are being eidetracked, |
and others barely manage to squeeze in.
Prohibition has broken up the old parties,
and the labor elements have assisted by
organizing against monopoly. Free trade
has a black eye and protection stands
triumphant. No one knows who will be
the next President. Some say he will be
from this State, others from that; some
that ho will be'a Protectionint, others that
he will be an advocate OF free trade. Some
declare that they cannot tell whether the
coming man will DO Blaine, or Cleveland,
Ben Butler, or Terrence V. Powderly, or
q learned Senator from West Virginia,
Laughter and some suggest that 1t may
Just possibly be e woman. Laughter
and applause.
Mrs. Lockwood then talked of tho great
men OF the present and past, OF their DO.
lit:cal echemes, Of great scenes in Wash
inton'S history, Of lobbyists, OF tho nu.
meruus bills which are being introduced
and never reached, aad OF the plan of the
Government spending money instead OF
practicing strict economy. Sho alluded to
the contest for eocial supremacy among
the official ladieg, and gave O description
Of the society OF the different administra.
tions.
The newspaper correspondents Of the
Capital, the persons with claims against
the Government, the office aeekers and
department clerks, all were entertaininsly
touched upon. Office seekers are found
in abundance; they are generally those
who have failed to make a success in other
business; doctors without patients; law
yea without clients; newspaper men
without subscriptions. The unemployed
masses aro in danger Of plunging this
into monarchy unless strikes are
averted. The regulation OF capital and
labor is the only sure mems Of prospsr.
ity. Lobbyists are plentiful in Washing.
ton; the successful ones usually 20 with
their pockets lined to begin with. Women
are great atthis. The influence Of women
the Capital will never be known. The
concluded with brilliant descrip.
ton Of all tho periods that had taken
place in Washington, and how each dif-
Tered in political schemes and social life,
AS . healer Of throat troubles Red Star